case study - MT MESSENGER
Bridging the Tunnelling Skills Gap
Te Ara o Te Ata (Mt Messenger Bypass) is a new 6 km two‑lane highway in North Taranaki that links Uruti to Ahititi, replacing the old steep SH3 route. It includes two major bridges and a 235 m tunnel through Mt Messenger. The bypass is critical for regional resilience and safety, as the previous route was narrow, steep and prone to disruption. Built in partnership with iwi (Ngāti Tama) and Waka Kotahi, the project weaves cultural values throughout its design (e.g. guardianship of the whenua). About 150 people work on-site (60% local or relocated residents), with training in heavy machinery operation and tunnel construction.
Workforce Gap – Skilled Tunnellers Needed
While there is a strong emphasis on hiring locally, the Mt Messenger Alliance found a shortage of highly specialised tunnelling operatives in the region.
Excavating a 235 m tunnel through difficult terrain required experienced people and niche equipment operators. The contractor turned to ASCON for help – a recommendation came via a colleague from Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) project, where ASCON had supplied robust onsite teams.
Our proven record on underground projects (NZ’s largest construction project, the CRL) gave the client confidence that we could fill the gap.
Ascon’s Response – People and Culture
ASCON quickly provided the skilled personnel the project needed.
Roadheader Operator / Shift Supervisor: A veteran tunneller who had led 20–25 person crews on Sydney mega-tunnels (WestConnex, NorthConnex) and operated Sandvik roadheaders and Jumbos.
Excavator / Heavy Equipment Operator: An experienced machine operator from Sydney Metro works (Pyrmont, Barangaroo stations) proficient on 50t excavators, loaders, haul trucks and other gear.
Local Labourer: A Taranaki-based general site labourer, supporting the team and reflecting the project’s focus on local employment.
Ascon’s tailored labour-hire approach meant we handled all logistics and training. Our supervisors liaised closely with the Mt Messenger Alliance team to slot our people into the schedule. This ensured an immediate, seamless boost in the crew’s capability. We also embedded our core values of whakawhanaungatanga (building relationships) and manaakitanga (care and hospitality) into the onboarding, mirroring the project’s Māori-led approach.
Gap filled, schedule met: With ASCON’s personnel in place, the tunnel excavation proceeded on plan. The experienced roadheader operator and crew drove steady progress through solid rock, while the excavator driver efficiently handled spoil removal and benching work. Our heavy-equipment expertise meant critical supports (rockbolts, shotcrete) were installed correctly to stabilise the tunnel – safety was never compromised. The local labourer helped with blasting prep, cleaning, and supporting tasks, ensuring the team stayed productive.
Ascon’s Value
Ascon’s support delivered clear benefits:
Specialised Expertise: Provided veteran tunnelling and plant operators exactly matching the project’s needs (roadheaders, bolters, excavators) – bridging the skills gap.
Safety & Efficiency: Integrated leadership and communication kept work safe and on-track, echoing ASCON’s safety-first approach.
Cultural Alignment: Reinforced the Alliance’s values (kaitiakitanga, whānau) through our caring, relationship-based team culture.
Local Engagement: Added a local labourer to the crew, supporting the project’s goal of investing in Taranaki people.
By combining global experience with manaakitanga and technical excellence, ASCON helped the Mt Messenger project advance smoothly. Our teams not only filled the critical workforce gap, but did so in a way that resonated with the project’s community and environmental values. The result was a safer, more united worksite – and a tunnel dug on time, with everyone pulling together towards a shared goal.
Sources: Project details and workforce data are drawn from NZ Transport Agency and industry reports.